Online Learning News - June 14, 2023

Free Contact North | Contact Nord Webinar

The Generative AI Mirror: The Five Pathologies of Edtech Discourse About New Technologies

Wednesday, September 6, 2023
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Register now!

Generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT introduce radically new possibilities for higher education. But like previous innovations, including MOOCs, the reaction to and discussion around the innovations can reflect more about higher education and our shared culture than about the likely implications.

In this session, educational technology consultant and industry analyst Phil Hill and edtech analyst Glenda Morgan of Phil Hill & Associates explore five pathologies of higher education discourse around generative AI, as well as the lasting changes you can expect.

Free Contact North | Contact Nord Webinar

Rethinking Digital Literacy: Toward a Holistic Digital Competency Framework for Teachers

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Register now!

In this webinar, Dr. Garry Falloon, Research Professor in Education at the Federation University of Australia, introduces an expanded Teacher Digital Competency (TDC) framework, which embeds the technical skills of earlier literacies’ approaches within a wider and more holistic landscape. 

Five Steps to Leverage ChatGPT 
in Your Teaching

To help you better understand ChatGPT and how it can be used in your teaching, Contact North | Contact Nord developed these five specific steps for faculty and instructors to follow:

1. Start exploring ChatGPT.
2. Participate in professional learning.
3. Try ChatGPT in your courses.
4. Share teaching ideas.
5. Learn to identify ChatGPT-generated text.

With the release of ChatGPT4, an even more powerful tool, this guide serves as a valuable resource to navigate the future of AI in education.

 Read the full story

Dr. Tony Bates’ Latest Blog:
Online Learning and Distance Education

In this blog post, Contact North | Contact Nord Research Associate Dr. Tony Bates reviews and provides commentary on Richard Heller's latest book, The Distributed University for Sustainable Higher Education. The central concept is the development of a “distributed university” that focuses on decentralizing education, emphasizing local relevance, collaboration and trust, while using online platforms to adapt to the changing nature of work and learning in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. Dr. Bates delves into the book's ideas, providing thoughtful insights and analysis in his review. 

Read Dr. Bates’ post: 

Book Review: Richard Heller’s ‘The Distributed University for Sustainable Higher Education’

Podcasts and Vodcasts on Online Learning

The Teaching Space Podcast

The Teaching Space podcast, hosted by Martine Ellie, is a captivating and informative audio journey dedicated to empowering educators. Martine, a seasoned educator, shares her expertise through engaging conversations and practical insights. The podcast covers innovative teaching strategies, classroom management, educational technology and more. Although The Teaching Space closed in April 2022, a vast back catalogue of episodes remains for listeners to explore. 

Choose your episode

This Week’s Must-Read Book
on Online Learning

Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction: How to Engage Adult Learners

By Linda Dale Bloomberg (2021)

The book shares evidence-based strategies that apply directly and practically to online learning environments. The book examines five core areas: principles of adult learning, engagement through presence, diversity and inclusion, community building, and enhancing learner empowerment. It demonstrates how to prepare for the online learning environment, design and deliver engaging course content, and effectively evaluate the learning experience. Comprehensive checklists are shared for key action items and associated steps in this process. Not rocket science, but handy to have if you are new to this work.

Browse all Must-Read Books

Contact North I Contact Nord’s
Searchable Directory of 65+ Open
Universities Worldwide

More than 65 open universities around the world provide open and equal access to education, without requiring students to have formal education or credentials to be admitted. These institutions have a common commitment to open access to quality learning and student success.

Use the directory to search location, contact information, delivery modes, enrolment and more!

Search the directory

Upcoming Events in Online Learning 

EdCog 2023

McMaster Conference on Education 
and Cognition

July 13 & 14, 2023 

Onsite and Virtual Options

The McMaster Conference on Education and Cognition is now open for registration. Participants can join online or in person at McMaster University. Contact North | Contact Nord Online Learning News readers can use the discount code CONTACTNORTH to receive 25% off for online attendance.

Cognitive scientists have been systemically studying processes such as attention, memory and learning for more than 150 years. Their rich knowledge has been only recently applied to developing evidence-based interventions in education.

The speakers at this conference will explore how cognitive principles can inform instructional design and critical issues in education to bridge the gap between the lab and classroom. Join them on July 13 and 14 for an enlightening educational experience on the current state of teaching and learning.

Early-bird registration pricing is in effect until June 16. Poster registration deadline is June 16.

For more information and to register

About Contact North | Contact Nord

Contact North | Contact Nord increases the number of underserved Ontario residents who take online programs and courses from Ontario’s colleges, universities, Indigenous institutes, and other providers while remaining in their community.

We recruit and provide free support services to students in 1,500+ rural and remote communities, in person at 78 locations across the province, or by phone, email, live chat or virtually. Our services are available in English and French. We help increase access and success for underrepresented learner groups, including:

• Francophone learners
• Indigenous learners
• Unemployed learners
• Learners accessing Ontario Works
• Learners with disabilities

Visit contactnorth.ca for more information

Most Popular Resources on teachonline.ca

1. Five Steps to Leverage ChatGPT in Your Teaching 
2. ChatGPT, AI and The Future of Teaching and Learning: We All Need a Digital Assistant
3. Searchable Directory of 1,900+ Upcoming Education and Technology Conferences from Around the World
4. Ten Guiding Principles for the Use of Technology in Learning
5. A New Pedagogy is Emerging... and Online Learning is a Key Contributing Factor